852: RARE – A Students’ Guide to the Harvard Law School, 1877

by: David Warrington - May 29th, 2009

It is not often that the Library has an opportunity to acquire a book or pamphlet about the Harvard Law School that it doesn’t already own. Such an occasion occurred this week when we purchased a pamphlet that not only did we not own but apparently exists only in this copy.

The Harvard Manual. Contents: Historical Sketch; Law School Manual; Directory of Students, 1877-78 is an unofficial guide to the School with information on admission, courses offered, expenses, scholarships, and a directory of students.

One section describes the law clubs “organized by the students, and under their control, constitute a prominent feature of the work of the schoolâ€¦.. The object of all the Clubs is to accustom members to the drawing of pleadings, and the argument and decisions of points raised thereby” (p. 21).

Written by “The Editors,” the publication was generously supported by advertisements, the contents of which provide a glimpse of law student life in Cambridge nearly a century and a half ago.